Film

What was the role of film in Nazi Germany?

Goebbels controlled the film industry so that all films supported and promoted Nazi ideas such as loyalty, self-sacrifice and discipline. They also focused on Germany's glorious past.

How did the Nazi government control film?

There were 3 main ways by which the Nazis controlled film:

• ❖ The plots and details of new films had to be sent for approval to Goebbels as minister of the people's enlightenment and propaganda.
• ❖ The Nazis made about 1,300 films of their own.
• ❖ Films had to have a Nazi propaganda message e.g. anti-communist or anti-Semitic.

What films did the Nazi government make?

There were many Nazi films. These are 3 key examples:

• ❖ In 1933, 'Hitler Youth Quex' was released about a member of the Hitler Youth.
• ❖ In 1935, 'Triumph of the Will' was made about the Nuremberg rally.
• ❖ In 1940, 'The Eternal Jew' was made as an anti-Semitic propaganda film.